A GoUpstate Blog

Culture Aplenty is social comment and awareness about all things artsy and culturally interesting in Sparkle City

By Sandi Dupre
Knowing that you’ve helped someone become successful can be such an amazing source of pride. It’s a feeling I’ve been able to experience many times over the past few years. Since June of 2013, I have been the person responsible for coordinating the musicians for our Sundays Unplugged series here at Chapman Cultural Center.… Read More »

When I tell people I meet that I am lucky enough to work for Chapman Cultural Center I always see a smile. Everyone in Spartanburg who has heard of our organization knows the joy Chapman Cultural Center brings to this community. Most of our citizens aren’t aware of the depth and the breadth of the joy we bring, but most of our community has been touched by the arts. When I tell people that I raise money for this center, I usually get a pained look. Actually, raising money to bring joy to children’s lives and bring our community together is fun and meaningful!… Read More »

Co-authored by Jason Bagwell, Spartanburg Community College, Horticulture Department Chair Jay Moore, Spartanburg Community College, Horticulture Instructor In the past, humans have influence our landscapes and environment by changing the physical appearance to suit our personal and economical goals. All changes have not been beneficial or good but as long as mistakes were not repeated it became a learning experience. It is amazing in today’s society that we continually refer back to notable landscapes and landscape techniques that were used centuries… Read More »

by Marian Norman As a Carolinian I have enjoyed Shag dancing for many years. The dance provides social interaction, a way to express oneself to music, challenging and creative footwork and lots of fun. Whether one is a spectator, participant or teacher of Shag, he or she feels a part of the southern lifestyle. There are many expert shaggers in the Spartanburg community. Some compete professionally. Now that it is summer time, our thoughts turn to leisure time at the… Read More »

At a time when enforced political correctness and hypersensitivity to even the most mundane facts of life hang over our heads like Swords of Damocles, it is triumph of public education, creativity, and common sense that Spartanburg School District 7 has once again produced a high school play that was both entertaining and teaching our young people there is more to life than song and dance. … Read More »

By Rebecca Caroline Pruitt I have been a lover of musical theatre since I can remember! It has been a part of my life since I was a little kid. I can remember my first trip to NYC and seeing Brooke Shields as “Rizzo” in Grease. The lights, the energy, the dance and the music just filled my soul, and I knew that I had not only fallen in love with NYC but also Musical Theatre. Several years later I… Read More »

By Mat Duncan Curator of Collections; Community Development Coordinator Spartanburg Art Museum mduncan@spartanarts.org Recently, I was asked: what, exactly, is abstraction in art? The question has both a short and long answer. The short answer is that, strictly speaking, abstraction or abstract art is art which is uninterested in faithfully portraying scenes from the real world. But the word “abstract” assumes many guises and appears in many places in the English language (and in art). For it and the art… Read More »

Words matter. English majors tend to pick that up quickly. Growing up, I always thought a tenure happened after 10 years—wow, was I wrong. As my tenure (not even close to 10 years, let alone 10 weeks) with Chapman Cultural Center comes to a close, I’d like to share my brief experience of the arts in Spartanburg with the general public. Chapman Cultural Center (or The Arts Partnership) provides a space for the partners (as listed on Chapman’s website: Spartanburg… Read More »

Editor’s Note: John “Mr. Green” has been the Director of Spartanburg Science Center for 38 years. He will retire on Sunday, May 22, 2016. The public is invite to a drop-in reception in his honor 2-4 p.m. at the Science Center at Chapman Cultural Center. By Adam Wong It’s 1995 or thereabouts, and I am scrambling through a scraggly pinewoods. It’s really muggy and hot, of course, because it’s June in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I have wandered too far away… Read More »

“When words leave off, music begins.” (Heinrich Heine) Film and television directors know this to be true! Soundscapes are the backdrops to our most memorable cinema experiences. Whether it is the mournful strains of the lone oboe as the camera pans the lush jungles of the Amazon in The Mission or soaring strings as Julie Andrews ascends the top of the Alps in The Sound of Music, music carries our emotions in ways that words or pictures alone, cannot. Music… Read More »

About This Blog

“When words leave off, music begins.” (Heinrich Heine)

Film and television directors know this to be true! Soundscapes are the backdrops to our most memorable cinema experiences. Whether it is the mournful strains of the lone oboe as the camera pans the lush jungles of the Amazon in The Mission or soaring strings as Julie Andrews ascends the top of the Alps in The Sound of Music, music carries our emotions in ways that words or pictures alone, cannot.

Music is memory too. We have all had that experience of hearing a piece of music that takes us back to a time and place remembered specifically because of the song. It’s like having a soundtrack to our lives!

And music is universal. Every culture in every language has used music as a form of communication. Whether it’s Bach, The Beatles, or Prince, when we all sing the same song our language is one.

Spartanburg is gifted with a professional symphony that allows us to experience LIVE orchestral music . Being in the audience at a performance the music resonates within you, stirring something deep. It is impossible to just listen. Instead you become swept away by the lush sounds of strings, brass, winds and percussion. Our appreciation of these performances, the culmination of years of lessons, practice and rehearsals, becomes more deeply felt. As busy adults, we can forget how attending a live music performance can refuel us in ways no other art can.

Recently SPO participated in Play in the Park, a United Way initiative for pre-schoolers. The children clapped and sang along, but when they heard the first strains of “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen, they were on their feet, belting out the song as loud as their little lungs would allow. The sheer joy in their faces as they sang their favorite song would have reminded even the most cynical, that live music is a powerful force for good!

The Spartanburg Philharmonic is ending its 2015 – 2016 season with a fabulous concert featuring legendary guitarist Pepe Romero. Conducted by Maestra Sarah Ioannides, this performance showcases our Orchestra’s musicians at their finest. You should join us on APril 30th, experience LIVE music at its finest and create new musical memories that will last a lifetime.

Louise Fagan

Louise joined the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) team in August as their Community Engagement Manager. This position bridges Louise’ love of music and passion for sharing the arts with the community. If you are interested in learning more about the SPO visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. See you at the concert!